Romans 5:4. Experience— Full proof. The Greek word δοκιμη, has this signification, and is a metaphor taken from gold proved by purifying fire. See 1 Peter 1:7. Sir 2:5 and Saurin's Serm. read more
Romans 5:5. Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts— Is poured out into our hearts. The original word εκκεχυται, is commonly used, as Whitby remarks, when the effusion of the Holy Ghost is spoken of. Wherefore, as the Apostle, in this passage, had in his eye the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on the Gentiles, as proofs of God's love to them, he adds for their comfort and encouragement, that the love of God was poured out into their hearts along with the spiritual gifts. By the Holy... read more
3, 4. we glory in tribulation also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience—Patience is the quiet endurance of what we cannot but wish removed, whether it be the withholding of promised good ( :-), or the continued experience of positive ill (as here). There is indeed a patience of unrenewed nature, which has something noble in it, though in many cases the offspring of pride, if not of something lower. Men have been known to endure every form of privation, torture, and death, without a murmur... read more
4. patience worketh experience—rather, "proof," as the same word is rendered in 2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Philippians 2:22; that is, experimental evidence that we have "believed through grace." and experience—"proof." hope—"of the glory of God," as prepared for us. Thus have we hope in two distinct ways, and at two successive stages of the Christian life: first, immediately on believing, along with the sense of peace and abiding access to God (Romans 5:1); next, after the reality... read more
5. And hope maketh not ashamed—putteth not to shame, as empty hopes do. because the love of God—that is, not "our love to God," as the Romish and some Protestant expositors (following some of the Fathers) represent it; but clearly "God's love to us"—as most expositors agree. is shed abroad—literally, "poured forth," that is, copiously diffused (compare John 7:38; Titus 3:6). by the Holy Ghost which is—rather, "was." given unto us—that is, at the great Pentecostal effusion, which is viewed as... read more
D. The benefits of justification 5:1-11Paul’s original readers would have had another question because of what he had written in chapters 1-4. Is this method of justification safe? Since it is by faith, it seems quite unsure. Paul next gave evidence that this method is reliable by explaining the results of justification by faith.Moo argued that chapter 5 belongs with chapters 6-8 more than with Romans 3:21 to Romans 4:25. [Note: Moo, pp. 290-95.] He noted a chiastic structure in chapters 5-8... read more
The fourth benefit of justification is joy in sufferings. Peace with God does not always result in peace with other people. Nevertheless the fact that we have peace with God and a relationship with Him, with assurance of standing before Him acceptable, enables us to view present difficulties with joy. We can rejoice in tribulations because God has revealed that He uses them to produce steadfast endurance and proven character in those who relate to their sufferings properly (cf. Job 23:10; James... read more
This hope, the focal point of this pericope, will not suffer disappointment, because God loves us and enables us to withstand tribulations. He does this by His Holy Spirit whom He has given to indwell every justified sinner in the church age (cf. Acts 2:33; Romans 8:9). Paul developed the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the believer later (ch. 8). The fifth benefit of justification therefore is the indwelling Holy Spirit. Note the progression in these verses from faith (Romans 5:1) to hope (Romans... read more
God’s Salvation and the Results of its AcceptanceSt. Paul completes his exposition of acceptance by faith by pointing to its blessed effects (Romans 5:1-11). In the following vv. he compares sin and acceptance, as to which he has shown that all men have sinned, while acceptance is open to all, and declares the cause of this universality. Sin is universal, because all men derive their being from Adam. But, over against Adam, Christ has entered into our race as its new head; and from Him, all who... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 5:5
And hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.The reason that the Christian's hope does not put to shame is because of the love of God in Christian hearts, shed abroad through the agency of the Holy Spirit which was (past tense) given to Christians upon the occasion of their being baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38f), the true ground of that hope not being the glorying of people through various... read more